what ever happen to Planet Howard -2009 gone

Well despite everything, we are still here, life has been busy. Bobby went back to work in Oct,( just 1st thru a temp agency and now temp thru the company,hopefully full time sometime, but greatfull to be working again) thinks he has lost somewhere around 25 lbs. Karen has been busy as well- job, church, church, choir.
The holidays were great - good food(thanks to Aldi - our new favorite grocery store- you have to work hard to spend more than $50. a trip- Jackie and her new recipes yummy),family and good times. and just Darling grand kids- we really do enjoy being gramps, paw paw Bobby, Granny K and Grammaw. Dane is just full of giggles, loves to go outside and via sign language request "more please", "thank you". And Ben is just full speed ahead playing with his CARS, and telling stories- boy does he have some good ones.
We too have seen enough of OLD MAN WINTER, here(not as much as our family up north-great Luge Track in Germantown, but at least we do not need a snow blower (yet)) please hurry up Spring. - bring us sunshine, flowers, grass to cut, cars to wash, GRILLING TIME and ole yeah - Ball Season.
no pictures at this time - maybe later- have to get the other half to post.

Our Love to all-
Bobby( yes I did this, can ya tell) and Karen
got to go - Food Channel has a grilling show with Bobby Flay !!!!

June,July,August -where did summer go?

Summer has just about flown by us.

Karen has another week and 1/2 of summer camp to go. Bobby is still searching for work, summer ball is over and fall ball coming soon, but not soon enough. Bobby has done some work for neighborhood , and painting for homeowner , to earn some $$$, as well as calling ball when the rain would allow.


We celebrated Danes 1st Birthday - the boy does not need any toys for sometime to come. And yes he still loves to eat, and eat.

We spent a weekend in Charleston SC recently, ate fresh local seafood at a place that was not much more than floor, and walls , chairs and tables that came from yard sales or where ever, but the food was GREAT. Had a boat ride around Johns Island complete with a guided tour of sorts. Saw the house that was used in the movie "Paradise" with Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith - and where they went to church and the swimming hole from the movie. Saw the "Angel Tree" a huge sliver aok that is several hundred years old, with branches wider than people, and is supported in places. The tree is so big that a family of 4 and 1 dog can stand in front and the tree is still the main object.


Nana and Opa B. came down and stayed a few days on their "Southern Vacation". After hearing of the history making trip south, they were glad to be off the road for a few days.Of course we had a BBQ, (like Bobby needs a reason to fire up the grill)and all of the Clan's that could make it came and made a DAY out of it. We really enjoyed having them stay with us, then off to the Beach they went. Hope their trip home was uneventful.

Danny ,Jackie and Danes new house is more awesome than the picture shows, - beautiful back yard for Dane and the dogs. And a plenty of rooms inside. Dane may wind up with a toy room up/down stairs. We may have to move our family gatherings there- plenty of parking . Congrats on a wonderful new home .



Sorry no pic's at this time, maybe after our upcoming vacation to Va and Md later this month.

All in all we still feel blessed with what we have and continue to help others as we can. But most of all we tell each as many times as possible each day that " I LOVE YOU", we know that does not pay bills, change or make things go away. But here in Planet Howard, we have what we need.



Love to All - and remember the grill is always ready to go, so come and kick your shoes off and stay a spell- see ya !
Bobby & Karen

The Days of May

We know we've been slack here, but here we go.

Mother's Day

Jackie had jury duty so Gramps Day Care was open with Dane for a week and the 2 "boys" had some quality time, they played and laughed, ate, drank, ate some more, napped, ate and drank some more still . Dane danced for Gramps, he loves music, going outside and he loves to eat. We had a great time.

May also had, of course, Karen's Birthday- which somehow carried on for several days this year-- starting with a trip to our local "Howl At The Moon" with some of her co-workers and family. We had Ben down for a couple days- he helped Grandma do some grocery shopping, cook supper, bake brownies, read books, helped to make pancakes, joined us at church, and a whole lot of silliness going on. Then on Memorial Day with the "Clan Howard" barbecue or garagecue ( new word from Jackie - grilling in the garage- works for me), where Dane got hold of his 1st rib bone, and did not want to give it up -( see "The Daily Dane blog for pic's) and Karen got her cake. Then it was finally her real birthday and of course off to work she went, where she had more cake and who knows?? and of course our other friends had a cookie cake for her that night. And during all this she is doing this "Amish Friendship Bread" starter thing, so we have fresh breads--mmmh mmmh good.

Bobby stayed busy calling ball just about everyday unless it rained, which we had our share this month. But here it is June now, Karen taking off 2 days in row!!- we'll probably steal Ben away for a day or 2 , maybe we can get Dane too??? for a cousin play date..

Happy Easter, Happy Spring, Happy Everything!

Spring has sprung for sure in North Carolina! We had our last freezing night about 10 days ago, followed quickly by 70+ degree temperatures...gotta love the South... Now gardens are blooming, tree pollen is covering our cars, and green-thumb Karen is happy!

Catching up on all the news:

Ben with the famous cowboy boots...

Easter weekend we had our first "Grandparent Overnight" with Ben...what fun! Friday was a day with mostly just the Boys...and then Saturday was Grandma Day! We baked cupcakes, blew bubbles, played ball, went to the Easter egg hunt at our church, filled the hummingbird feeder, read books and generally goofed around. Photos follow:

Ben and his Mom make "egg-eyes"...

(Ben found the Golden Egg at another egg hunt!)

...and Ben hunts for eggs at Derita Presbyterian!

In other news...here is Mike with his girlfriend, Kim Lowder...and his CAR! Mike is now moving into an apartment with 2 room-mates, a big step for him! Very proud...

Spring means that Bobby is back on the ballfield, working as an umpire for his 8th (?) year...maybe more, I'll have to check the source! *smile* In between, he finds time to be a doting Grandpa to Ben and, of course, Dane, who is cuter by the day...

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter...we are lovin' our family!

Snowy---Rainy Days

Proof it did snow here on Planet Howard last week, and we both stayed home.

It is a very rainy, and cold day here today, looks the same for tomorrow. No ball games due to the cold and rain. At least the it gives us and the cats a reason to relax on the couch and do brainy things.( well at least one of us- the other prefers his recliner and the Food Channel- gives us ideas to try and maybe places to go someday- well we can dream but, we will eat) :)

Speaking of eating- we had dinner with the other Howard Family recently.That Dane really wants to eat, eat, eat, if he can reach it look out mouth here it comes. Danny and Jackie are doing such a great job with him. He gets fresh foods from Jackie's' Kitchen. Danny and Dane have outings with other Dads and Kids. We are proud Grandparent's indeed :)

You may notice how long Karens hair is getting, because she plans to donate to "Locks of Love" when she has a pony tail 10 inches long. Anyone else up to the challange, come on we double dog dare ya..

Chicken Dumplings- a Howard man's meal

You must check out The Daily Dane. He has had his first taste of Chicken Dumplings, and has done his Gramps proud. The boy loves food, what can we say, feed him and he smiles the biggest smile.
All is well here in our world, hope yours is too....

Valentine's Day xoxo

Valentine's Day has come and gone...as we expected there was a lot of hugging and smooching during the course of the day/evening. Plans were small. Karen had "cooking class"- they made chocolate Valentine candy, and Bobby got some special leftovers, yum yum. Plans for the night included an Italian dinner w/leftovers, live music from our friend Norman and his band "Steel Caravan" where we were joined by a friends of ours, and we stayed out WAY past our bedtime, the music and company were great.
Speaking of great , have you seen "Dane and the Blueberry faces"-- Bobby's new happy place . Dane and Gramps had some quality time last week as Danny and Jackie had a evening out, and Karen had a girls night-- it was GREAT- what a wonderful grandson!! We exchanged fake coughs and other intriguing noises. You can see that Dane LOVES his books...er...for a snack?

Oh and yes CONGRATS to the Chicago Blendermann clan on their new arrival , Samantha Rany. We hear that she has been pronounced "beautiful"...and after looking at the first photos, we agree! Lucky Adam, to now be a Big Brother! (Do we hear that the Blenderful Family Quartet will be playing Chicago soon?...*grin*)

Last update...Ben is growing fast, and now has his favorite cowboy boots, which he must take off when he comes in the house, as you can see in the sock-feet photo with Grandma Karen...

And beware of the Pizza-Face Monster...goofing off with his mom Shanna.